The first Alongsiders movement was established in Cambodia in 2003 in partnership with the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia (EFC is an umbrella organization for the majority of Cambodian churches). That original partnership has evolved into a separate youth-focused organization called DOVE.
Today there are about 800 Cambodian Alongsiders walking alongside their 800 little brothers and sisters in nine provinces of Cambodia.
Our international headquarters was established in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2013, allowing us to remain close to the place where Alongsiders was birthed, and within easy travel distance to other countries in Asia and beyond.
Indonesia
The Alongsiders movement is led by an Indonesian National Coordinator and advisory group based in Bandung. They are working to see the young Indonesian Christians in the Alongsiders movement equipped to reach vulnerable children across the nation: from Sumba to Bali, Medan to Jakarta.
Together with local leadership, and the local Indonesian church, they are working to equip local young people to be part of the transformation of their own communities.
The Indonesian comic book curriculum is available in Bahasa Indonesian in two versions: an urban and a rural version.
Pakistan
In places where it is extremely difficult or dangerous for an outsider to enter and share God's love, local Christian youth are able to reach out to their own neighbours and walk alongside children in need.
The Alongsiders movement has grown in Pakistan as our resources have become available in Urdu. We currently partner with one local denomination and one Youth Leadership Network. The National Sunday School Ministry of Pakistan has been a key partner in helping to translate and publish the Alongsiders curriculum.
India
Alongsiders International's first partnership in India has been with a grassroots network of 3000 churches across the country to see the Alongsiders movement established amongst the poorest members of Indian society.
Today, there are a network of Regional Representatives in a different states, working together with a National Facilitator who oversees the Indian movement. These leaders connect with independent churches, larger denominations and church networks to help equip the youth in each church to walk alongside local children.
Alongsiders resources are currently available in Hindi, Punjabi, Meitei and Telegu. Bengali, Tamil, Assamese and other regional languages will become available in the coming year.
Senegal
In Senegal, the Alongsiders movement has grown in close partnership with the 4/14 Window Movement - a church movement devoted to reaching children between the ages of 4 and 14.
In this French-speaking part of West Africa, our curriculum is being developed in French, and will soon be available to other countries in the region.
Kenya
Kenya is a growing hub for the Alongsiders movement in East Africa. More than one partnership has now been formed in Kenya with smaller church networks in both rural and urban areas.
The nomadic Kisima people have a small network of churches partnering with us to see their youth equipped as Alongsiders. And another more urban denomination also has adopted the Alongsiders model for reaching their children.
Malawi
As the Alongsiders movement has spread through East and South Eastern Africa, a partnership has been established to equip young Christians in Malawi.
Despite its status as one of the world's least developed nations, and a heavy reliance on outside aid, young Malawians are rising up to become the change-makers needed to transform their own society. In this way, the spider repairs its own web.
Rwanda
Despite a tragic history, Rwanda now has a vibrantly growing youth population, excited to bring change to their own communities. We partner with ImagineWe, a social enterprise committed to raising literacy among children and youth, to produce our comic book curriculum for East Africa.
We also partner with a small local denomination who have now established a number of Alongsiders groups walking alongside vulnerable kids.
Singapore
Alongsiders International Ltd has been registered in Singapore since early 2013. Although we are focused on catalyzing movements rather than establishing institutions, we still need secure legal and financial foundations to strengthen the work we do.
Singapore is a well-established developed country, with the kind of robust legal and financial infrastructure needed to host an international organization. The Singapore base of Alongsiders International provides a strategic international legal framework for our ministry. Singapore is also blessed with resources that we hope can be mobilized to enrich the lives of their poorer neighbors.
Canada
Alongsiders International Foundation is a registered charity in Canada. We have established a Canadian board and an appropriate local legal structure which enables us to encourage the Western church to walk alongside the most vulnerable in their own midst, as well as financially support the core work of Alongsiders with children in the developing world (Canadian donors receive tax receipts).
New Zealand
In New Zealand, Alongsiders International is able to receive donations and is currently pursuing charitable status which will allow us to offer tax receipts in the future.
USA
In the U.S.A., Alongsiders International was registered as a 501c3 in 2016. Please contact us directly for further information about progress in this area or to be involved.
